Final Blog Post

                My experience in English Composition 111 has been nothing but pleasurable. I had a lot of anxiety entering into this class due to the fact that I had not taken a college class since 2000. Part of my anxiety started to fade away after I received my first graded assignment, and I got 25 out of 25. I saw that I was capable and grew some confidence.

                The way we did all the group assignments really helped to learn to open up and work with others without being so nervous, and that is where the rest of my anxiety started to fade away. I thoroughly enjoyed these groups as well as the partner assignment and the peer reviews. I hope that in some of the next classes I take that these same types of learning styles will be applied because I found them so helpful! I have no problem socializing when I know someone but that getting to know them piece was tough for me until this class. During the profile assignment I was made to get a phone number of my partner. I needed help after I missed a class and had I not gotten that number  I wouldn’t have found my way into the library learning about their resources.

                I did find that I tend to procrastinate until the last possible moment. I imagine since the work I do in a hurry has been graded decently that if I was to do it in advance and slower it would probably be even better. This is one tip I will continue to remind myself during the rest of my college career! Thank goodness I learned this early on with a great class and an awesome teacher who helped even when I put it off until the last minute! I don’t think I could’ve asked for a better first class experience honestly.

Reflection of my Modest Proposal

On this essay I basically did an expansion of my pitch presentation. I took my outlined slides and all my notes and turned the information into paragraphs. I decided to stick with the same topic due to my passion and knowledge of the issue of adolescent drug addiction. Through all of our assignments I have found it so much easier to come up with a better final copy if it is something pertaining to myself or information I am very confident that I’m fluent with.  Since being in this class everyone is aware of how close to my heart this topic is, so I assume you guys almost expected it!

I was extremely grateful to have some sources already from my pitch, making my research time lessened. Although I found more information to add to the essay as well as my slides I had a huge head start. I know from hearing others talk, that coming up with the topic was the hardest part for them, so I guess I saved myself a lot of stress!

I will say I really was excited initially about writing this as a satire. I did not end up doing that because I allowed my lack of confidence to hold me back. My grades should show me that my insecurities are irrational, but for whatever reason I listened to them still. I am very excited to hear others’ presentations that were done satirically so if ever presented with this option again maybe I will have a clearer understanding and go for it.

I feel especially comfortable with my paper and presentation now that I’ve received my feedback from the pitch presentation. Although no one said it in their comments I know my two biggest fallbacks in the pitch were the amount of text per slide and no images. I am going to utilize that knowledge to better this one, mostly by taking the statistics and specific schools mentioned and showing them in images in my new presentation. I hope I receive a decent grade from the class again and that they are not too disappointed it’s the same topic since I’m switching it up a bit.

Reflection of my Pitch Presentation

I chose the topic of adolescent drug use/addiction because it is very near to my heart.  With myself being a woman in long term recovery from a substance use disorder I can empathize with these young peoples’ struggles. My dabbling in drugs started in middle school, but by my senior year in high school, I was being sent to my first few treatment programs because I had progressed from dabbling to full-on addiction. The statistics show how very common that is and I felt the class should see that. Ultimately, if we have something that can play such a monumental part in curbing these statistics or at least catering to them to get in the solution, I just can’t find any logic as to why we aren't all jumping and asking the question, “How can I help?”. I know that I am more inclined to feel this way due to my personal experience but I also know that the majority of people in our country have been affected in some way or at least know someone who has been touched by this god awful disease of addiction. Bottom line - there is a solution and I wanted everyone to know. I feel so often that ignorance is the reason for our avoidance of dealing with things.

I basically just broke down my pitch into topics of the problem, the solution, what you can do, and the benefits. I gave shocking statistics to show the reality of the problem and the statistics for the solution. I honestly could have gone on all day to “show” the extent of the problem at hand, but didn't want to overwhelm and confuse people with too many numbers, so I just picked the ones that seemed to catch my attention more so than the others.

I normally struggle with speaking in front of a crowd, and I had myself in panic mode initially for this assignment. Once I got up there and was speaking on a topic that I felt comfortably educated on, it really wasn't bad at all. I truly think the small groups we do and the partner assignment for the profile played a huge part in my confidence once I started speaking. I was quite impressed by how much I actually enjoyed it, to be honest!!

Why I chose Blended for my movie review

This assignment for me has been a bit challenging, due to my recent surgery. I have found it hard to focus on my schoolwork while dealing with the pain and minor complications I’ve endured. That being said, at the last minute today I posted on Facebook asking for movie ideas on what to utilize for my review, and I got numerous different options. I had already seen a lot of them so right away that narrowed it down for me. I finally decided on the movie that’s titled Blended with Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore.

Upon viewing the previews, this movie really just seemed like an all American love comedy. With my unmotivated and very fatigued physical being at the moment I just felt like this light-hearted type of movie was a good choice for me, and it just so happens that Adam Sandler is one of my favorite actors! There is never a doubt in my mind that if he is in the movie it is going to be a great flick, usually full of comedy!

I am also a single parent and I can totally relate to the story they are telling in this movie. It is so common in our society today to have these blended families, and more often than not that means lots of yelling, fighting, tears, laughter, and love being shared between the individuals of each family before they blend into a smooth single familial unit. I feel like that was captured just in the few moments on the previews and I’m looking forward to getting to see more.

Movie Rave

My choice for my favorite movie comes from a very fond memory I have during my childhood. Initially, it was my father’s favorite movie, but after years of forming such memorable evenings solely based on this movie, it had become my favorite as well.

My father was a highly intelligent man who worked full days as an engineer and after long, grueling days at his manufacturing plant he needed some comic relief to relax and unwind. I can still recall the sounds of our hysterical laughter arising from the living room on the evenings we would watch it together (sharing special daddy/daughter time). I must point out to you that my father passed away several years ago, but this movie sealed the vision into my heart and mind. Sometimes it’s only just for a fleeting moment, but it’s amazing to just feel like I am there again – sitting on the old brown plaid sofa and my dad in his blue leather chair - both of us uncontrollably belly laughing.

My favorite movie is a family friendly feature that is extremely entertaining to any audience – young, old, male, or female.  This movie will provide whatever it is you are looking for.  Its versatility is appealing because it provides comedy, is action packed, has a stellar cast including three adorable children, and it even has a twist of romance.  I mean come on – everyone finds satisfaction in one of those categories.

I would suggest that anyone who is reading this publication right now, go home and get out your On-Demand  or Netflix and watch the Walt Disney movie “The Apple Dumpling Gang”, written by Don Tait.  Take an evening to enjoy good, clean fun that carries you through to the good ole’ days out west.  It paints a picture of the past that actually left me feeling as though I was standing at the swinging doors of the saloon watching the action take place.

So, give yourself a break, kick up your feet, and prepare to laugh. Hopefully, you will create an unforgettable evening.

Reflection of my Profile assignment

I really enjoyed this profile assignment. I do not struggle at all talking openly about my life when I know someone, but I have always struggled to make the initial contact and start conversation. This assignment really helped to start the communication and teach me to see past that "driver license" description that meets the eye. I think because I had a partner with such great personality it helped make it that much easier.

It is always more difficult for me to write about others since I can't look up facts, or it's not about myself where I know the facts. This definitely showed me that it really isn't as hard as it seems. I got all the information I needed from my partner through relaxed conversation; it wasn't like I had expected it be, like an uncomfortable news interview. I wouldn't mind doing an assignment like this again with another partner!

I had never used Google Slides or power point before. This was a learning experience for me in that aspect, as well. I quickly picked up how to navigate around the webpage and how to add design and pictures to my text. I feel comfortable now that I can utilize Google Slides for another presentation in the future.

Profile on Josh Polezhaev

The subject of my profile assignment is 19 year old Josh Polezhaev. Upon being assigned as partners I found him to be quite entertaining.  He was very open and easy to talk to though, on top of his humor. Josh is a very bright and animated young man. I don’t believe in the weeks I’ve known him that I have seen him with anything other than a smile upon his face. I can see that his happiness is contagious to the people around him.

 I didn’t want to take my focus of him completely, so I only added minimal bullets about his family, but he actually has a very interesting familial history. He comes from a very large family with A LOT of aunts and uncles, as well as the fact that he has 5 siblings. There were details about his parents’ transition from Russia to America that I found interesting, but again those weren’t as relevant to getting to know him. He chose a portrait of his siblings and himself for me to use on his profile, and in that picture he is the littlest, chubby guy in the front.
 

The link to view my presentation of his profile is:
Josh Polezhaev's Profile By:Michelle Rook

Reflection of the Literacy Narrative

On My literacy narrative I did the brainstorming bubbles to jot down all the different times I could clearly remember learning a new form of literacy. I then made smaller bubbles off of those with specific details to narrow down which topic seemed to be the most interesting to expand on.  I found it relatively easy to pick one by doing this.

I feel that peer revision was one of the most helpful tools I could have used for editing my paper. During the assignment I not only got suggestions on how to better my own paper, but I also was able to get my own new ideas from seeing  how others did their work.  I think the biggest thing I learned from it was the meaning of when Ms. Simonsen said for us to “show” the events. In another student’s paper I literally felt as if I was looking into her living room watching her with her “Hooked on Phonics” videos! I attempted to incorporate some of those details that she used into my own paper to give it the visual effect.

At first, after doing the short version of this essay, I was very worried that if I tried to just expand it that it may become redundant or lose focus. I actually feel like that happened in my first draft, but after the revision I felt like I was able to pull it all back together into one cohesive story. I really liked how many other details I incorporated besides just the literacy aspect. It showed the “bigger” picture but was still relevant to the learning of my topic of literacy, which was journaling.

I think everyone’s essays that I was able to read were very informative, and gave a very good idea of who each person was. I never thought I would thoroughly enjoy this assignment, but I really did!

Literacy Narrative

During my teenage years, I had a lot of emotional issues. These issues had nothing to do with my family because they were absolutely amazing. However, for some reason I never felt as if I fit in. When we moved out of the big city that I had been raised in for 13 years, into a small country town, it was a huge culture shock, to say the least. I had two older brothers that adjusted just fine, but I was struggling to feel like I belonged in this little farm town. There was a four cow to one person ratio, and I was uninterested in befriending a cow, and so began my hard journey for friendship and acceptance.

I eventually found some people who became my "friends." They were involved in things that teenage children should not partake in, but I instantly liked the feelings I got from these things. At the end of the night they would all be ready to go home, and I would be left wanting more. Alone, now in a drug-induced insomnia, I would sit and think for hours. At some point, this thinking became so overwhelming, that I eventually had to get it out, so I picked up a paper and pen and let it all pour out.

It was during this very confusing point in my life that my writing commenced. I had page after page of the many thoughts and feelings that were running wildly through my body. I was consumed with a feeling of relief and release that I never knew was possible. Things started to make more sense; order came into the strange cocktail that had conjured itself in my mind. I began to share some of my writings with a couple people in my life. One was a good friend who also used writing as an outlet. We would compare our work. Mine would help her and vice versa. We had found a safe place to release all the pain, happiness, confusion, good times, and bad times. This was a place no one could judge us or stop us from speaking freely. There was no fear of stigma or guilt when I was writing my thoughts.

There were several times growing up that I moved away from my parents' home for temporary periods. It was during one of these times that my mother stumbled across my work. She couldn't believe it, and begged me to continue my writing. She thought it was fantastic. I moved to so many different locations that eventually my notebooks all got lost in the process. Although, they were physically lost, the words and thoughts never left my mind.

I am very excited that I have a reason to awaken my passion of writing. There is a lot of fear in me that I cannot do it as good as I used to, or that I somehow will fail miserably, but I am still looking forward to giving it my all.

My Intoduction

My name is Michelle Rook. I am a 32 year old, recently divorced, single mother of two perfect little boys. My main purpose is to create a good environment for those boys and raise them to be gentlemen. I live life to the fullest and take it all one day at a time. My theory is always do what I can today to get to my bigger goals of tomorrow.

On January 4th, 2012 I made a decision to change for the better. I entered into the McShin Foundation and learned how to take certain steps that showed me how to maintain long-term recovery from my substance use disorder. This was not my first attempt, but thus far it has been the longest success I've had with it, and God willing it will continue that way! I am truly grateful to have found this new way of life.

When I was younger I had dreams of becoming a veterinarian. When I graduated in 2000 my parents found a program in South Africa that I could work one-on-one with the best vet in that country. My heart has been stuck there ever since I returned to the United States, although during my addiction I lost sight of that, it has reawaken since I've gotten clean. I know it's unrealistic to run off to South Africa with my children, but I have hopes of opening a game preserve or some type of hunting facility here, or in Florida(where my family is).

Well that's pretty much who I am. I look forward to getting to know some of you. This is my first class in 14 years so please work with me guys! Any suggestions on balancing responsibilities without getting overwhelmed would be greatly appreciated.